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Living with Lions: ACR's mountain lion research and education project

Are you experiencing a mountain lion/livestock conflict the North Bay? Contact our team by phone: 707-721-6560 or quinton.martins@egret.org
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ACR's Living with Lions is a community conservation project in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma and Napa Counties.

Audubon Canyon Ranch is studying our region’s mountain lions to identify priority habitats and key wildlife corridors and to promote ecosystem conservation throughout our region. Using rigorous science, Living with Lions also teaches children and adults about the importance of living side-by-side with our wild neighbors.

Mountain lions in the North Bay live a fragile existence

In California, mountain lions are at the top of the food chain and play critical roles in the maintenance and functioning of our natural ecosystems. Yet mountain lions themselves live a fragile existence as more of us choose to live and play in wild places.

Rigorous science — humanely conducted
Led by Audubon Canyon Ranch Wildlife Ecologist and large cat expert, Dr. Quinton Martins, Living with Lions humanely captures and equips lions with GPS collars. Biological measurements and samples are taken to determine their age and health, as well as to map the genetic makeup of the region and state’s lion populations. The team also is investigating the impacts of the 2017 Sonoma County fires on large predators.

The Living with Lions team includes ACR conservation scientists and educators, local veterinarians, geneticists, and a growing cadre of volunteers to assist in field work. Project partners include the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Parks, the University of California, Berkeley, Sonoma County Regional Parks, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, Sonoma Land Trust, as well as regional landowners and land managers.

Reducing wildlife-livestock conflict
Coupled with research, Living with Lions partners with landowners and managers to implement the best methods to deter mountain lions from preying on pets and livestock, lion behavior that can result the issuing of a depredation permit to have the mountain lion killed. When conflicts arise, the Living with Lions team mobilizes to create outcomes that benefit all.

Wild Neighbors
Audubon Canyon Ranch’s scientists and educators teach more than 11,000 children and adults each year about conservation science and the importance of mountain lions in our ecosystem. Through an interactive Wild Neighbors classroom presentation, children are introduced to the captivating world of mountain lions and other wild creatures roaming outside our doors.

Supporting Living With Lions The North San Francisco Bay Area is like nowhere else in the world. Your generous support of Living with Lions will have significant impact in protecting these magnificent cats and, in turn, stewarding the beauty and resilience of our area. The project relies on contributions to maintain and advance its research, and educate the community about the amazing lives of mountain lions followed by Living with Lions.

We look forward to speaking with you about how you might help support Living With Lions. Please call Naomi Sultana Young, director of philanthropy, at 707-938-4554 ext. 311 for more information.

Get to know our mountain lions

The map below shows a 45-day period ending 12/31/18, green points belong to P5, the resident male, other colored points indicate all the females we’ve collared in his same territory.

Become a citizen scientist with our trail camera project!

The Living with Lions trail camera project uses cameras placed on private properties to collect visual data on mountain lions in Sonoma and Napa counties, as well as add to our region’s understanding of overall wildlife diversity. Email trailcamera@egret.org to include your backyard in the study!

For more information about Living with Lions, contact ACR Wildlife Ecologist Dr. Quinton Martins, principal investigator for the project, at mountainlion@egret.org

Further reading about the importance of habitat connectivity may be found in the 2015 issue ACR's The Ardeid.